Fluid mixer

ABSTRACT

A fluid mixer wherein a plurality of fluid jets are delivered to a chamber in angled relationship to each other for turbulent mixing therein. The jets are produced by a plurality of grooved annular elements wherein the grooves are chordal and arranged at opposite angles at different positions spaced axially of the mixer. The annular elements may be stacked to define a desired tubular array. Structure is provided for selectively closing the grooves to provide a pressure regulation when desired.

United States Patent 1191 Kates Apr. 2, 1974 [54] FLUID MIXER 3,402,916 9/1968 Kates 259 4 [75] Inventor: Willard A. Kates Deerfield I. 3,677,522 7/1972 Hargash 259/4 [73] Assignee: The W. A. Kates Company, Primary ExaminerRobert W. Jenkins Deerfield, 111. Attorney, Agent, or FirmHofgren, Wegner, Allen, 122 Filed: Dec. 27, 1972 Stellma" Mccmd w [21] Appl. N0.: 318,866 [57] ABSTRACT A fluid mixer wherein a plurality of fluid jets are deliv 1521 us. (:1. 259/4 ered to a ehamber in angled relationship to each other 51 1 1111. c1 5011 15/02 for turbulent mixing therein- The j are produced y 1511; Field 111 Search 259/4, 18,36; 137/177, a plurality of grooved annular elements wherein the [37/88 grooves are chordal and arranged at opposite angles at different positions spaced axially of the mixer. The an- [56] References Cited nular elements may be stacked to define a desired tu- UNITED STATES PATENTS bular array. Structure is provided for selectively closing the grooves to provide a pressure regulation when 1,123,316 1/1915 Kranz 137/177 desired 1,637,697 8/1927 Jacobsen.... 259/4 2,584,827 2/1952 Bailey 259/4 17 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 2 1914 FLUID MIXER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to fluid control devices, and in particular, to fluid mixers.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is desirable in certain fluid control systems to mix different fluid components. Examples of fluid mixers of the prior art are those shown in Mabee US. Pat. No. 1,418,877, Kranz US. Pat. No. 1,123,316 and Self US. Pat. No. 3,514,074. Mabee shows a mixer having longitudinally directed grooves adapted to deliver two fluids at intersecting paths at one end of the mixer. Kranz shows a steam trap having a number of discs with grooves which, in certain cases, are tangential to each other. Self shows a fluid control having a valve block which is reciprocally mounted to provide incremental closing of the valve. The fluid is forced under high pressure through the labyrinth grooves with the block effectively blocking and exposing different grooves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved fluid mixer wherein fluids are mixed by means of a plurality of stacked annular elements having end faces provided with chordal grooves. The grooves in one face are oppositely angularly related to the grooves in the opposite face, and in the illustrated embodiment, the jets of fluid produced by the grooves are effectively perpendicular to each other.

The annular elements may be similar and may be stacked in any desired number to provide mixing at different flow rates. The invention further comprehends means for providing a generally constant pressure drop across the mixer. For this purpose, a closure element, illustratively in the form of a disc, may be disposed at the downstream end of the array and spring means may be provided for urging the closure element toward the upstream end. The closure element includes means at the periphery thereoffor selectively closing the grooves radially outwardly of the closure element and effectively preventing flow to those downstream of the closure element in any given position. The spring constant and the groove size may be correlated so as to provide the desired pressure control.

The fluid mixer is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing an improved fluid mixing as discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation ofa fluid mixer embodying the invention connected between an input and an output duct;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diametric section thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawing, a fluid mixer generally designated is shown to comprise a body generally designated. 11 including an inlet portion 12 and an outlet portion 13 which may be clamped together by suitable means such as bolts 14 and nuts 15. A suitable gasket 16 may be provided between the body portions 12 and 13. The inlet duct 17 may be secured to body portion 12 by suitable means such as screws 18 and sealed thereto by an annular gasket 19. The outlet duct 20 may be secured to an outlet housing element 21 by means of an annular flange 22 and suitable securing means illustratively comprising bolts 23 and nuts 24. Housing 21 has a tubular downstream end 25 fixedly secured in flange 22 and a tubular upstream end 26 fixedly secured in body portion 13. Inlet duct 17 defines a flow passage 17a communicating with a flow passage 12a defined by an axial bore of body portion 12. Housing 21 defines a through passage 21a which communicates through an axial bore 22a of flange 22 with the flow'passage 20a of the outlet duct 20. A tubular array generally designated 27 is provided in the passage 21a of housing 21 for passing fluid delivered-to the center space 28 of the array to an annular space 29 extending about the tubular array radially inwardly of the housing end portion 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, flow passage 12a of body portion 12 may define an enlarged downstream end 30 which defines the upstream end of the annular chamber 29 surrounding the tubular array 26. The tubular array may be secured to the body portion 12 by suitable bolts 31.

Tubular array 27 is made up of a plurality of annular elements 32 having chordal grooves 33 in one end face 34 and chordal grooves 35 in the opposite end face 36. The array may include a plurality of such annular elements in stacked relationship having spacer rings 37 disposed between the respective annular elements 32. The downstream end of the tubular array is closed by a plate 38 which is also clamped to the array by bolts 31. Plate 38 is provided with a central bore '39 slidably receiving a stem 40 carrying a closure plate 41 disposed within the central space 28 of the tubular array. A coil spring 42 is compressed between the closure plate 41 and the end plate 38 of the tubular array for biasing the closure plate toward the upstream end of the array (or to the left as seen in FIG. 2),for selectively blocking flow through the chordal grooves 33 and 35 of the annular elements radially outwardly of the closure plate and downstream thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The spring constant of spring 42 is preselected to control the position of the closure plate to provide a preselected pressure differential between the center space 28 of the tubular array and the surrounding chamber 29.

Referring to FIG. 3, the chordal grooves 33 extend at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface 43 of the annular element to the radially outer surface 44 thereof in a clockwise direction when viewed in the axial direction from left to right, as shown I in FIG. 2. The grooves 35 extend in an opposite angular direction when viewed in the same axial direction or extend in a clockwise direction when viewed in the opposite axial direction, i.e., looking to the left, as seen in FIG. 2. Grooves'33 may be effectively perpendicular to trated embodiment, at least 12 such chordal grooves are provided in each end surface and the axes of the grooves are parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis 45 of the tubular array. Alternatively, the grooves may be angled to the plane perpendicular to axis 45 so as to direct the fluid jets delivered from one set of grooves to intersect with the jets delivered from another set of grooves and thereby further improve the turbulent mixing of the fluid in mixer 10. In one specific form, the grooves 33 of one element 32 may be angular to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the element, and the axes ofthe grooves 35 are oppositely angular to that plane.

The spacer rings 37 may have flat radial end surfaces 46 to have facial engagement with the flat end surfaces of the elements 32. It has been found that the confronting surfaces need not be finished with mirror finishes and the like as some leakage therebetween does not seriously affect the operation of the mixer.

lllustratively, where the diameter of the inner surface 43 of the annular elements is approximately 1 inch, the grooves may have a depth of approximately one-eighth inch As discussed above, to provide for different-flow rates, more or less annular elements may be stacked in the array as desired.

Closure plate 41 is supported in the manner of a target to be engaged by the fluid flowing into the mixer space 28 in the normal operation of the mixer. The static and diametric pressure of the fluid causes the closure plate, to move against the action of spring 42 so as to compress the spring adjustably until the spring compression force balances the pressure force. In moving axially through the space 28, plate 41 effectively blocks the grooves of different elements 32 as a result of the juxtaposition of the periphery 47 of the plate to the inlet end of the grooves at annular element surface 43. Thus,.as the pressure increases, more of the grooves are unblocked, and as the pressure decreases, more of the grooves are blocked to provide an effective regulation of the pressure drop across the mixer. As shown, closure plate 41 may comprise a disc member having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the elements 32. V

As discussed above, adjustment of the mixer construction may be effected within the scope ofthe invention as by varying the number of annular elements stacked in array 27. Further, the size and number of grooves in the annular elements may be varied. The

thickness of the elements and the spacers may similarly be varied as desired. The annular elements may be of similar construction for minimum cost and facility of construction. Thus, the mixer is readily adapted for coordination with different liquid capacities, viscosities, densities, and miscibilities. Further, the elements may be formed of cast metal for effectively minimum cost.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

I claim:

I. A fluid mixer comprising:

means defining a flow passage having an upstream cabinet and a downstream outlet;

a plurality of annular elements each having flat. ra-

dial end surfaces, one of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of first chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in one axial direction of said-element, and the other of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of second chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in the axial direction of said element opposite to said one axial direction, said elements being coaxially stacked to define a tubular array extending longitudinally in said flow passage for receiving fluid flow from the inlet into the center space of the array, the outer surface of the elements in the array being spaced inwardly from the inner surface of. the flow passage means to define therewith an annular chamber about said array for delivering fluid flow to said outlet, said chordal grooves directing the fluid flow from said center space outwardly to said chamber with the flow into the chamber directed by the chordal grooves of said one end surfaces being angular to the flow thereto directed by the chordal grooves of said other end surfaces whereby the fluid flow turbulently mix in said chamber before flowing therefrom to said outlet; and j means for closing the downstream end of said center space of the array to cause the fluid flow from the inlet to pass from said center space through said chordal grooves to said chamber.

2. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said second chordal grooves are perpendicular to said first chordal grooves considered in a single axial direction of the elements.

3. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said chordal grooves are rectilinear.

4. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said chordal grooves are segmentally cylindrical.

5. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said chordal are segmentally cylindrical and have a transverse segmentally circular cross section of less than 6. The fluid mixer ofclaim 1 wherein at least 12 chordal grooves are provided in each said end surface.

7. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein the axes of the respective chordal grooves are parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tubular array.

8. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein the axes of the respective chordal grooves are angular to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tubular array.

9. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein the axes of the chordal grooves of said one end surface are equiangular to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the annular element and the axes of the chordal grooves of said other end surface are oppositely angular to said plane.

10. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein spacer rings are disposed between pairs of said annular elements.

11. The fluid mixer of claim I wherein spacer rings 1 the inner surface of the annular elements is approximately finch.

13. A fluid mixer comprising:

means defining a flow passage having an upstream cabinet and a downstream outlet;

plurality of annular elements each having flat, radial end surfaces, one of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of first chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in one axial direction of said element, and the other of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of second chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in the axial direction of said element opposite to said one axial direction, said elements being coaxially stacked to define a tubular array extending longitudinally in said flow passage for receiving fluid flow from the inlet into the center space of the array, the outer surface of the elements in the array being spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the flow passage means to define therewith an annular chamber about said array for delivering fluid flow to said outlet, said chordal grooves directing the fluid flow from said center space outwardly to said chamber with the flow into the chamber directed by the chordal grooves of said one end surfaces being angular to the flow thereto directed by the chordal grooves of said other end surfaces whereby the fluid flow turbulently mix in said chamber before flowing therefrom to said outlet;

means for closing the downstream end of said center space of the array to cause the fluid flow from the inlet'to pass from said center space through said chordal grooves to said chamber; and

pressure regulating means operably associated with said array for maintaining the pressure drop between said center space and said chamber generally constant.

14. The fluid mixer of claim 13 wherein said pressure regulating means comprises means for preventing fluid flow through a number of said grooves, and means responsive to the inlet fluid pressure to cause said number of said grooves through which flow is prevented to increase as the pressure decreases and to decrease as the pressure increases.

15. The fluid mixer of claim 13 wherein said pressure regulating means comprises means for preventing fluid flow through a number of said grooves, and means responsive to the inlet fluid pressure to cause said number of said grooves through which flow is prevented to increase as the pressure decreases and to decrease as the pressure increases defined by a blocking element movable axially in said center space and having peripheral means adapted to selectively effectively close said grooves.

16. The fluid mixer of claim 15 wherein said blocking element comprises a disc coaxially disposed in said array and pressure responsive means comprises spring means biasing said disc toward the inlet end of the array.

17. The fluid mixer of claim 15 wherein said blocking element comprises a disc coaxially disposed in said array and pressure responsive means comprises spring means biasing said disc toward the inlet end of the array, said disc being fixed to a stem element slidably mounted to said means for closing the downstream end of the array. 

1. A fluid mixer comprising: means defining a flow passage having an upstream cabinet and a downstream outlet; a plurality of annular elements each having flat, radial end surfaces, one of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of first chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in one axial direction of said element, and the other of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of second chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in the axial direction of said element opposite to said one axial direction, said elements being coaxially stacked to define a tubular array extending longitudinally in said flow passage for receiving fluid flow from the inlet into the center space of the array, the outer surface of the elements in the array being spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the flow passage means to define therewith an annular chamber about said array for delivering fluid flow to said outlet, said chordal grooves directing the fluid flow from said center space outwardly to said chamber with the flow into the chamber directed by the chordal grooves of said one end surfaces beIng angular to the flow thereto directed by the chordal grooves of said other end surfaces whereby the fluid flow turbulently mix in said chamber before flowing therefrom to said outlet; and means for closing the downstream end of said center space of the array to cause the fluid flow from the inlet to pass from said center space through said chordal grooves to said chamber.
 2. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said second chordal grooves are perpendicular to said first chordal grooves considered in a single axial direction of the elements.
 3. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said chordal grooves are rectilinear.
 4. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said chordal grooves are segmentally cylindrical.
 5. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said chordal are segmentally cylindrical and have a transverse segmentally circular cross section of less than 180*.
 6. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein at least 12 chordal grooves are provided in each said end surface.
 7. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein the axes of the respective chordal grooves are parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tubular array.
 8. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein the axes of the respective chordal grooves are angular to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tubular array.
 9. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein the axes of the chordal grooves of said one end surface are equiangular to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the annular element and the axes of the chordal grooves of said other end surface are oppositely angular to said plane.
 10. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein spacer rings are disposed between pairs of said annular elements.
 11. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein spacer rings having flat radial end surfaces are disposed between pairs of said annular elements in facial engagement with the flat radial end surfaces thereof.
 12. The fluid mixer of claim 1 wherein said grooves have a depth of approximately one-eighth inch where the inner surface of the annular elements is approximately 1 inch.
 13. A fluid mixer comprising: means defining a flow passage having an upstream cabinet and a downstream outlet; a plurality of annular elements each having flat, radial end surfaces, one of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of first chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in one axial direction of said element, and the other of said end surfaces being provided with a plurality of second chordal grooves each extending at a preselected angle outwardly from the radially inner surface of the element to the radially outer surface in a clockwise direction when viewed in the axial direction of said element opposite to said one axial direction, said elements being coaxially stacked to define a tubular array extending longitudinally in said flow passage for receiving fluid flow from the inlet into the center space of the array, the outer surface of the elements in the array being spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the flow passage means to define therewith an annular chamber about said array for delivering fluid flow to said outlet, said chordal grooves directing the fluid flow from said center space outwardly to said chamber with the flow into the chamber directed by the chordal grooves of said one end surfaces being angular to the flow thereto directed by the chordal grooves of said other end surfaces whereby the fluid flow turbulently mix in said chamber before flowing therefrom to said outlet; means for closing the downstream end of said center space of the array to cause the fluid flow from the inlet to pass from said center space through said chordal grooves to said chamber; and pressure regulating means operably associated with said array for maintaining the pressure drop between said center space and said chamber generally constant.
 14. The fluid miXer of claim 13 wherein said pressure regulating means comprises means for preventing fluid flow through a number of said grooves, and means responsive to the inlet fluid pressure to cause said number of said grooves through which flow is prevented to increase as the pressure decreases and to decrease as the pressure increases.
 15. The fluid mixer of claim 13 wherein said pressure regulating means comprises means for preventing fluid flow through a number of said grooves, and means responsive to the inlet fluid pressure to cause said number of said grooves through which flow is prevented to increase as the pressure decreases and to decrease as the pressure increases defined by a blocking element movable axially in said center space and having peripheral means adapted to selectively effectively close said grooves.
 16. The fluid mixer of claim 15 wherein said blocking element comprises a disc coaxially disposed in said array and pressure responsive means comprises spring means biasing said disc toward the inlet end of the array.
 17. The fluid mixer of claim 15 wherein said blocking element comprises a disc coaxially disposed in said array and pressure responsive means comprises spring means biasing said disc toward the inlet end of the array, said disc being fixed to a stem element slidably mounted to said means for closing the downstream end of the array. 